I am planning to set up a new tank and was wondering what peoples thoughts may be on the marineland penguin filters. I noticed that they cost less than the aquaclear filters. I have had a few people tell me that the aquaclear is the way to go but I would like to get a few more opinions. If the penguin filters do just as good of a job as the aquaclear filters then there is no use for me to spend the extra money. What do you guys think?

GwenInNM

10-30-2011 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJK87
(Post 878179)

Hello everyone,

I am planning to set up a new tank and was wondering what peoples thoughts may be on the marineland penguin filters. I noticed that they cost less than the aquaclear filters. I have had a few people tell me that the aquaclear is the way to go but I would like to get a few more opinions. If the penguin filters do just as good of a job as the aquaclear filters then there is no use for me to spend the extra money. What do you guys think?

I have 2 Aquaclears and they are quiet, good filters. I have a Penguin too, that I got from a friend when she moved. I really like that filter, it is also extremely quite. I didn't like that it had the ready made filter cartridge, so I took a AC foam block and stuck it in the bottom of the compartment. Days later, I was woken up to the filter making noise, and it was running "dry". I figured it had something to do with that foam filter pad being placed in the bottom, so I just positioned it, so it wasn't wedged in anyway. No problems after that. I think the AC is better because it lets you choose what filter media and, how much of it, you want/can fit in the basket. Penguin you can still put other filter media in that section, but you need to be a bit careful, because there is no basket, and it's really set up for their premade filter cartridge, which consists of filter fiber (small amount) and a pinch of carbon, which I don't use, and hear it is ineffective after 2 weeks anyway. Best of luck with your decision. I guess if I could only keep one, it would be the AC. But if the money is really important factor for you, I think you would find the Penguin is a good filter.

Gwen

jeaninel

10-30-2011 05:33 PM

1 Attachment(s)

I have both (AC500 and Penguin 350's) and I like them both. On the Penguins I don't use the pre-made cartridges, instead I use foam pads meant for the Rena XP filters. And there are media baskets available for the Penguin 350's. They're only a few dollars each. I fill mine with poly-fiber batting I bought from Walmart and cut a couple layers to fit in the baskets. It's real cheap and a roll has lasted me over 3 years (and I still have some left). So i have the Rena foam and then the media basket behind that filled with poly-fiber.

On the Aquaclear, I run the foam black and a couple bags of the Bio-Max. The one thing I don't care for on the Aquaclear is in order to get to the foam block to rinse it out I have to take out the bags of Bio-Max because the foam block is on the bottom. The foam block is a real tight fit so it makes a little more of a mess getting it out than when I clean the Penguin media which is real easy to get to. Also, I always have to prime my AC when restarting the filter after a water change whereas I never have to on the Penguins. This is just my experience. Others experiences may be different. I have no experience with the smaller Penguin filters, only the larger 350 size. It seems that some with the smaller Penguins have had trouble with the bio-wheels stopping. I've never touched the bio-wheels and never had a problem with them stopping. Some of my Penguins have been running over 5 years.

Here's the media baskets for the Penguins.

Trofishlore

12-05-2011 05:46 PM

I have an aqua clear and it's pretty quiet only problem is that i didn't have a foam block for it and wanting to upgrade to a new filter.
Either a Tetra Whisper Classic $25 or Marineland Penguin bio-wheel 350 $27
hope you get a nice one.

Nubster

12-05-2011 05:56 PM

AquaClear because they are quiet, dependable, last for years when maintained, and give the best flexibility for media of all the HOB filters.

AbbeysDad

12-14-2011 12:29 AM

+3 on AquaClear. I'm not a big fan of cartridge filters. It's like my Fusion razor that practically gave me and now sell the blades for a small fortune - (psss - the real money is in the consumables!)

I like the AquaClear as was mentioned, we can decide the type and quantity of the media. I have two AC 70's in my 60g. One is just foam 'n floss (w/Seachem Purigen) and the other is full of Seachem Matrix bio-media.
Both run great. In fairness I have never had a penguin, filter or otherwise.

Davefish24

12-15-2011 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nubster
(Post 913212)

AquaClear because they are quiet, dependable, last for years when maintained, and give the best flexibility for media of all the HOB filters.

but there is a lot of bypass

Davefish24

12-15-2011 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AbbeysDad
(Post 920782)

+3 on AquaClear. I'm not a big fan of cartridge filters. It's like my Fusion razor that practically gave me and now sell the blades for a small fortune - (psss - the real money is in the consumables!)

I like the AquaClear as was mentioned, we can decide the type and quantity of the media. I have two AC 70's in my 60g. One is just foam 'n floss (w/Seachem Purigen) and the other is full of Seachem Matrix bio-media.
Both run great. In fairness I have never had a penguin, filter or otherwise.

On cartridge filters you can make your own cartridge or customize it:-D